Weathered Juniper Beneath a Stormy Sky
A twisted, weathered juniper anchors the high-desert landscape at El Malpais National Monument, surrounded by dry grasses, scattered lichen, and hardy evergreens. Beyond the rugged foreground, distant mesas stretch beneath a darkening New Mexico sky, giving the scene a quiet, windswept mood. The image captures the resilience of desert vegetation against the stark volcanic terrain near the Zuni-Acoma Trailhead.
#EngelPhotography #NewMexico #ElMalpais #Juniper #HighDesert #DesertLandscape #Lichen #VolcanicLandscape #StormClouds #DramaticSky #Mesa #LandscapePhotography #NaturePhotography #SouthwestPhotography #AmericanSouthwest
#EngelPhotography #NewMexico #ElMalpais #Juniper #HighDesert #DesertLandscape #Lichen #VolcanicLandscape #StormClouds #DramaticSky #Mesa #LandscapePhotography #NaturePhotography #SouthwestPhotography #AmericanSouthwest
Photographer
James Engel
Date & Time
Saturday, March 28th, 2026 at 5:21 PM America/Denver
Focal Length
26mm
Shutter Speed
1/125 sec
Aperture
ƒ/3.8
ISO
80
Location
North America, The United States of America, New Mexico, El Malpais National Monument, Zuni-Acoma Trailhead, Zuni-Acoma Trailhead Area
Keywords
Desert Landscape, Juniper, Landscapes & Nature, Lava Field, Lichen, Mountain Landscape, National Park, Plant, Rock, Volcanic Rock
Camera
Nikon D850
Approximate Map Location
Latitude: 34.955917
Longitude: -107.942711
Altitude: 2,119.0 meters / 6,952.1 feet
Longitude: -107.942711
Altitude: 2,119.0 meters / 6,952.1 feet